Venue: The Newport Centre Date 16-22 February
Coverage: Live on BBC Red Button and BBC website; reports on BBC website
 Hendry's place in the world's top 16 is under threat |
World number six Stephen Hendry was dumped out of the Welsh Open in the first round after losing 5-3 to qualifier Martin Gould on Monday. The 40-year-old former world champion nicked the seventh frame to force a tense finish but world number 63 Gould stayed cool to secure a famous victory. Defending champion Mark Selby took just 71 minutes to crush Paul Davies 5-0, helped by a 126 break in the fourth. Ali Carter easily saw off Jimmy White and David Gilbert beat Joe Perry. Former world champion Shaun Murphy held his nerve to pot a re-spotted black to grab a 5-3 win over Barry Pinches, while Scotland's Graeme Dott overcame Mike Dunn 5-3. Gould, a 27-year-old part-time casino croupier from north London, reached the last 16 of a ranking event for the first time in his career and plays Joe Swail in the second round.  | 606: DEBATE |
The defeated Hendry, who has now lost his opening match in four of the first six ranking events of the campaign, told www.worldsnooker.com: "It was just one of those days. I missed more balls than him and that's why I lost." Gould levelled the match at 1-1 with a 135 break and then won the next three and held on to take the match despite missing a few easy pots as the match neared its conclusion. "I can't believe I've beaten him," Gould said. "I fancied my chances because I've been consistent this season. "Stephen's one of the greatest players ever so you have to respect him, but I thought I handled it nicely. I changed my cue action recently and it's paying dividends." Last year's Crucible runner-up Carter knocked in a best break of 72 on his way to beating White 5-1 and he now faces Dott in the final 16. It was a disappointing result for White who had impressed in qualifying and the veteran said: "I missed a few safety shots, I didn't play very well. I got a lot of kicks at the wrong time." Selby looked in fine form in his crushing win over qualifier Davies and he will be fancied strongly to reclaim the crown he won a year ago. The world number four rattled in a 126 break in the fourth frame and he will next play Gilbert, who overcame Perry after a nail-biting final ninth frame. Welshman Ryan Day lost to Michael Judge 5-3, while Anthony Hamilton beat Peter Ebdon 5-2.
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